Allison Wildman Portland, OR 97213 October 24, 2011 Will Stevens Traffic Calming Projects Manager City of Portland

/ Transportation System Management 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Room 800 Portland, OR 97204 Dear Mr. Stevens: Please accept this letter as official interest to pursue the purchase of speed bumps and/or other traffic calming measures on NE Senate Street between NE Caesar Chavez (39th Avenue) and NE Hassalo Street. A group of Senate Street residents met on October 23, 2011 and agreed to move forward on this issue with the understanding that any improvements would be self-financed. NE Senate Street is a unique street. It is a one-sided local street comprised of 14 residential properties that front the I-84 sound wall. The residents who live on NE Senate are community-oriented families and long-time Laurelhurst residents. A portion of NE Senate Street is a Neighborhood Greenway designated as part of the North-South 40s Bikeway and provides essential pedestrian and bicycle access to the overpass over the Interstate. Hundreds of bicyclists and pedestrians use NE Senate every day, including school children who walk and bike to Laurelhurst Elementary, three blocks to the south. It is identified as a Recommended Route to School in the Laurelhurst Elementary Safe Routes to School Continuing Services Plan. Nonetheless, NE Senate Street also has a disproportionate amount of motor vehicle traffic for a residential street in this area. It is used as a convenient short cut for cars and large trucks between NE Caesar Chavez and NE 47th Avenue because it provides easy access to employment centers (the Providence Medical Center campus and the small industrial area on NE 44th) and the eastbound I-84 on-ramp. There are no stop signs or other traffic control devices between NE Caesar Chavez and NE 47th on any of the local roads that connect these two significant city roadways. As a result, the route is attractive to nonlocal cars and trucks, and vehicles tend to speed through the area. Additionally, NE Senate is also a convenient place to park to access the Hollywood MAX station and popular commercial destinations north of I-84, like Trader Joes and 24 Hour Fitness. The Halsey Street area of the Hollywood District has a very limited supply of onstreet parking and, as a result, NE Senate absorbs a lot of the commuter and spillover parking. NE Senate is also used for long-term parking for people who use MAX to go to the airport. Cars are sometimes left parked on the street for one to two weeks at a time. These factors contribute to an overall increase in traffic volume.

Will Stevens October 24, 2011 Page 2 Traffic counts have confirmed that NE Senate has documented speeding and volume issues, and may be eligible for speed bumps. We feel that speed bumps will contribute to a safer street and we are willing to invest in this infrastructure, but we would like the City of Portland and the Traffic Calming Program to explore other creative engineering solutions as well. The street is a designated Neighborhood Greenway, a critical connection for Safe Routes to Schools, and provides access to the regional transit system, thus benefiting many more than those who live in the immediate vicinity. Some of the solutions could include: A raised crosswalk, curb extension, and enhanced signage at the intersection of NE 42nd and the pedestrian ramp stairway. Candlesticks on NE Caesar Chavez to restrict left hand turns onto NE Senate from Caesar Chavez. Stop signs at NE 42nd and NE Senate.

We are also interested in working with the police on enforcement measures. We look forward to working with you on this issue so that our street can be safer, more inviting to bicyclists and pedestrians, and more livable for everyone on the street and in the neighborhood. Please feel free to contact me to discuss the issue further.

Sincerely,

Allison Wildman

Cc:

file Senate Street Neighborhood Group Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association